2017 Chevrolet Malibu
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 724 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Malibu model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 17 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 16 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat belts, critical fastenersAug 20, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
Campaign 21V649000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, sensor, occupant classificationJun 14, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. During servicing, a Passenger Presence System (PPS) may have been installed that was not correctly calibrated to the vehicle's seat type. As a result, the PPS may not properly identify an adult passenger from a child passenger in the front passenger seat, potentially causing the air bag to not deploy when it should, or causing the air bag to deploy when it shouldn't.
In the event of a crash, improper air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger PPS seat service kit, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18208.
Campaign 18V400000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpMay 31, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Campaign 18V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowDec 2, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017 Malibu vehicles manufactured on November 10, 2016. The right-hand rear side air bag inflator manifold may have insufficient welds.
Insufficient welds could cause the inflator to separate and propel air bag debris into the cabin during a crash. Also, the inflator could fail to inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16146.
Campaign 16V870000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
59 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 12, 2019
A TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON THEN WARNING REDUCED POWER MODE AND ENGINE LIGHT WHILE CAR WAS IN DRIVE ON HIGHWAY 2 TIMES
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 11, 2019
FOR 2 YEARS NOW I CAN BE DRIVING AND I GET A WARNING THAT THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REDUCED ONLY ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO GO 25 MPH. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY (81) AND ALMOST LOST MY LIFE WHEN THE TRUCK BEHIND ME ALMOST DIDN'T STOP IN TIME. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER AND UNDERSTAND THE PART I NEED IS BACK ORDERED WITH NO INDICATION AS TO WHEN THE PART WILL COME IN AND I CANT GET A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. I USE MY VEHICLE FOR WORK AND CANT BE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. ONSTAR EMAILS ME EVERY TIME STATING THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 9, 2019
BOTH MINE AND MY WIFES 2017 MALIBU GOES IN TO REDUCE ENGINE POWER MODE WITH STABILITY TACK LIGHT ON AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON.AND WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY CAR JUST DROPS TO 25 MILES AN HOUR.VERY DANGEROUS
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2018
CAR DO NOT ACCELERATE
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 14, 2018
MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE STARTER WOULD TRY AND TURN THE ENGINE OVER FOR 10 SECONDS THEN THE STARTER WOULD SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED ON 3/7/18 AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. THE FUEL PUMP 'CONTROL MODULE' WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I TOOK POSSEION OF THE CAR ON 3/10/18. ON 3/12/18 THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO FUEL PRESSURE AND RESULTED IN THE CAR TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING AND I WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHICH IS NOW REPLACING THE 'FUEL PUMP' DUE TO A GM TSB COMMUNICATION 16-NA-225.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 7, 2018
AFTER FILLING VEHICLE FULLY WITH FUEL THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER FULL. MY DEALERSHIP CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID IT IS A "NON-ISSUE" BUT THE DEALERSHIP DISAGREES SINCE THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS VEHICLES WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 2, 2018
DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CALLED ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC SAID INJECTOR ERROR SAME THING I HAD FIXED ON JANUARY 11TH 2018
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 2, 2018
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON I CALLED ON STAR DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED INJECTOR ERROR
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 27, 2017
INACCURATE GAS METER OR OTHER FUEL COMPONENTS. THE METER DOES NOT MATCH THE READING ON THE MYCHEVROLET APP. I JUST FILLED MY TANK UNTIL THE PUMP STOPS AND THE METER READS FULL IN MY CAR. THE APP READS 78% THUS I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I REALLY HAVE LEFT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED MY CAR ON 12/10/2016. AFTER 2 OR 3 VISITS TO MY DEALER, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AFTER CALIBRATING THE METER MONTHS AGO AND IT WAS FINE UNTIL TODAY. TODAY 11/27/2017, THE METER IS NOW INACCURATE AGAIN. I DO NOT HAVE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH ANY OF MY OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLES. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS RELATING TO THIS VEHICLE'S GAS METER AND THE CAR IN GENERAL IF YOU CHECK CHEVROLET'S FACEBOOK PAGE. THIS CAN CAUSE SOMEONE TO RUN OUT OF GAS BEFORE EXPECTED IN AN INCONVENIENT PLACE POSSIBLY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THIS BECOMES A MAJOR PROBLEM.